Burt Hanna, CEO of Hanna’s Candle, said Wal-Mart’s orders increased from $4 million in 2012 to $30 million in 2013. By 2017, Wal-Mart is expected to buy $45 million worth of merchandise from his company that manufactures scented candles in Fayetteville. (Photo by Brooke McNeely Galligan)

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s announcement in January 2013 that it would help resuscitate the U.S. manufacturing industry by buying an additional $50 billion worth of American-made items during the next decade has been met with skepticism and cheers.